No.5 LSUS Pilots return to The Dock for GCAC action
January 11, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots picked up the second half of the season right where they left off from the first half; with two convincing wins against Central Baptist College and Loyola University which improved their overall record to 14-1 on the season, and are currently ranked No.5 in the latest NAIA polls.
At 1-0 in conference play, the Pilots trail the University of Mobile who is off to a 3-0 start in GCAC action. The Pilots however are looking forward to the opportunity to return home to The Dock for three games over the next six days, beginning with a Thursday night match-up against the Belhaven College Blazers at 7:30pm.
The Pilots have posted a 22-3 overall record in three seasons at The Dock which includes a current 11 game win streak..
“We are trying to stay cam and relaxed about this three game home stand. It feels like we have not played at home in a long time. We have played very well at home throughout the years and know that our great fan support will continue to be there to help encourage us through each contest,” comments Pilots Head Coach Chad McDowell.
The Pilots are currently 5-0 at home this season and have accumulated a very impressive 9-1 road record. This is due in large part to the Pilots defensive effort of late. LSUS is ranked #3 in the NAIA in total rebounding, and #2 in defensive rebounds. Also contributing to the Pilots early season success is their ability to take care of the basketball and avoid turnovers which has them #3 in the NAIA in assist/turnover ratio.
“We are doing the little things it takes to win basketball games. We are defending, rebounding, and getting everyone involved in the offense. We are getting better in each of these three categories each game and that is the main reason for our two convincing wins since the break,” said McDowell.
With the Pilots becoming so highly recognized among the NAIA’s top contenders, they realize that they are going to receive each team’s best effort as they want to knock off a Top 5 team in the country. With that in mind, Coach McDowell realizes the bull’s-eye on the back of the Pilots is continually growing larger, and he welcomes that challenge.
“We know teams are going to be fired up and ready to knock us off. We wouldn’t like it any other way. We just want to be sure we do the things we need to do to keep the bulls-eye on us and not relinquish that honor to another team,” concluded McDowell.
McDowell and his Pilots will return to action Saturday night at 7:00pm when they will take on the visiting Southern University of New Orleans Knights, and again Monday night at 7:30pm against the Tougaloo College Bulldogs.
